The Cherokee Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit has been a full time unit since 1989. Currently the Cherokee Sheriff's Office has five K-9's. Three narcotics detection dogs and two explosive detection dogs. The Cherokee Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit currently consists of a Lieutenant, a Corporal, and three deputies. All of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office K-9's are from overseas and receive their initial training in Titusville, Florida. After the K-9's initial training, the dogs and the handlers receive intensive training with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center and with Titusville Police Department in Florida. Afterwards, the K-9 Handlers and the dogs train on a weekly basis.
Lt. Sam Rentz is the K-9 Unit Commander as well as the Oak Grove Precinct Commander. Lt. Sam Rentz has been a K-9 Handler since 1991 and his newest partner is K-9 Maverick. K-9 Maverick is a Dutch Sheppard imported from Holland. K-9 Maverick is trained in narcotics detection and patrol.
Sgt. Matthew Azaroff has been a K-9 Handler since May of 2003.
Sgt.Matthew Azaroff is the handler of K-9 Marco. K-9 Marco is a Belgian Malinois imported from Holland. K-9 Marco is trained in explosives detection and patrol.
D/S Lee Stewart has been a K-9 Handler since December of 2001. D/S Lee Stewart is the handler of K-9 Yoda. K-9 Yoda is a Belgium Malinois and is currently training with Stewart. "Yoda", who was purchased with seized drug funds, will be hitting the streets of Cherokee County in mid-September and will be certified in drug detection, bite, tracking, and patrol.
D/S Darin Downey has been a K-9 Handler since 2005. D/S Darin Downey is the handler of K-9 Rico. K-9 Rico is a Belgian Malinois imported from Holland. K-9 Rico is trained in narcotics detection and patrol.
D/S Olen Boughner has been a K-9 Handler since November of 2006. D/S Olen Boughner is the handler of K-9 Nitro. K-9 Nitro is a Belgian Malinois imported from Holland. K-9 Nitro is trained in explosives detection and patrol.
Since 1990 the K-9 Unit has seized more than $24,000,000 in illegal drugs. The K-9 Unit is also responsible in locating missing/lost persons and tracking fleeing suspects, from many different incidents.
A high priority for the K-9 Unit is education and public relations. Each year the K-9 Unit visits Cherokee County Schools and participates in community functions. Some of the public functions include America's Night Out Against Crime, Red Ribbon Week, Neighborhood Watch Programs, and speaking with the Boy Scouts of America.
